Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock State Park PO Box 220 Chimney Rock, NC 28720 828-625-1823 828-625-9945 chimney.rock@ncparks.gov GPS: 35.432799, -82.250260 Activities Location Park rangers offer regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs at the park. Contact the park office to arrange a presentation about the park at your location. Each April the park holds its annual Earth Day event where park rangers, biologists, and other environmental educators demonstrate the great work being done to protect the park and planet. Educational materials about Chimney Rock State Park are being developed and correlated to North Carolina’s curriculum. The program introduces students to the geology and cliffside ecology of Hickory Nut Gorge and focuses on plant and animal life, geologic forces, and stewardship. Trails: Chimney Rock State Park offers six trails for hikers to explore. Five of these trails are located within the fee-based Chimney Rock access; a free trail is located in the Rumbling Bald Climbing Area. The trails vary from moderate to strenuous hikes, and offer scenes of hardwood forest and dramatic views of the towering cliffs. The Outcroppings Trail offers a series of staircases to the top of Chimney Rock itself. A child-friendly 0.3 mile interpretive trail, the Great Woodland Adventure teaches hikers about the animal residents of Chimney Rock State Park through interactive sculptures and displays. See map for more information. Picnicking: Scattered along Chimney Rock Park Road are tables and grills for picnicking. Groups of tables are located in the Meadows area and at the top of the access road. Drinking water and restrooms are located near the group areas. Use of the tables requires no extra fee and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing: Ply your line along the Rocky Broad River, so named after several floods deposited rocks and boulders mid-stream and along the banks. The river, regulated as hatchery-supported general trout waters, can be accessed from the River Walk Trail in Chimney Rock Village. For season dates and regulations for each type of trout water, contact the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). A valid North Carolina fishing license and trout license are required for all streams, and regulations of the WRC are enforced throughout the park. Climbing is permitted in designated areas on the southern cliffs of Rumbling Bald Mountain. Because of the dangers of bouldering, rock climbing and rappelling, these activities are not recommended for beginners unless they are accompanied by an experienced climber. A registration and permit system is used for the Rumbling Bald Climbing Access. There is no fee for the permits, which are found at the trail head of the Rumbling Bald Trail. Participants are responsible for their own personal safety, including securing proper training and equipment, and adhering to safe practices. Chimney Rock State Park is located primarily in Rutherford County, 25 miles southeast of Asheville. From I-40, travel 20 miles southeast on US 74A to Chimney Rock Village. For the Chimney Rock attraction, turn right at the entrance in the village. For the Rumbling Bald Access, continue one mile on US 74A. Turn left on Boys Camp Road. Travel two miles and turn left at the climbing area entrance. Park Hours North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons. Please visit the North Carolina State Park website or contact the park office for the most current information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs rules and weather. www.ncparks.gov The park has a classroom, amphitheater, and picnic shelter available to rent. Contact the park office for more information.